The Int'l Trade Union Confederation said that "Qatar's response to allegations of maltreatment of migrant workers in the 2022 World Cup host nation has been 'weak and disappointing,'" according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. The ITUC said on Friday that "4,000 lives would be at risk before a ball was kicked at the tournament." On Tuesday, the Brussels-based ITUC said that "Qatari authorities had promised 'simply' to increase the number of labour inspectors." ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said, "There are already labour inspectors and they have no impact. What is needed are laws that protect workers' rights to join a union, bargain collectively and refuse unsafe work, and only then can inspectors do their job" (REUTERS, 10/1).